(19)

(11)

EP 1 161 337 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/50 (21) Application number: 00914923.8 (22) Date of filing: 10.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B29C 70/44, B29C 45/77, B29C 33/40 (86) International application number: PCT/US0006/356 (87) International publication number: WO 0053/400 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 12.03.1999 US 267189 (71) Applicant: VEC Technology, Inc. Minneapolis, MN 55402 (US)	(72) Inventors: MCCOLLUM, Robert, P. Transfer, PA 16150 (US) KIRILA, Gene, E., II Transfer, PA 16154 (US) (74) Representative: Lotti, Giorgio et al c/o Ing. Barzanò & Zanardo Milano S.p.A.Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 61 10128 Torino 10128 Torino (IT)